Inside Cover C — October 30 - November 12, 2015 — Executive Women in Business — M id A tlantic
Real Estate Journal
www.marejournal.com
Executive Women in Business
Rebecca Ting Vice President NAI Mertz Years with company/firm: 20 Years in field/real estate industry: 30
Marie Gerwig Executive VP, Portfolio Management Colliers International | Baltimore Tell about your career. I started my career in property management in 1986 as a Lease Administrator, learning the business from the ground up. Property Management has always appealed to my sense of wanting to be helpful and to add value. Although a lot has changed in my 30-year career, the core business of taking care of the Tenants, the Assets and the
Real estate organizations/affiliations: SIOR, Tristate REALTORS Commercial Alliance, Businesses Com- mitted to Burlington County, Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey, NAI Global
Investor has never changed. Now I am in the role to oversee and mentor younger people coming into the business and I teach what I have been taught – Take Good Care of what has been entrusted to you. What qualities do you feel make you most successful? A keen ability to communicate. This means to be able to listen, as much as it means to speak or write. Hearing others and understanding what they are com- municating to you, is vital in order for you to complete the interaction successfully. If a tenant calls, angry about a property management issue that is occurring – it is important to hear what they are saying, not how they are saying it. Their business is being impacted and it is your job to alleviate the issue. Leave your ego at the door! Tell us about your family. My partner of 23 years has watched me grow my career through faithful hard work, building my reputation by performing at my best and having a positive impact on those whose business lives I touched. Without her constant support and encouragement, my career would have gone sideways on many occasions as I struggled to conquer self doubts. The adoption of a special needs son from Russia 12 years ago has provided a lot of opportunity for personal growth. It has provided the perspective needed to strike the work/home balance. Autistic children live in the moment and he pulls me into his world the moment I get home every night. Same-sex marriage has afforded us peace of mind to live our lives without thought to the multitude of uncertainties that had before. This has allowed my work/home balance to find the harmony I needed to be successful on both fronts. What advice would you give to a woman going into your allied field? Find a good mentor. Learning the ropes is more than how to climb the ladder. I was blessed to have two very important mentors in my career who took the time to explain the “why” and not just the “how”. It has made all of the difference. n
What was your greatest professional accomplishment in 2015? I have been honored to serve as part of the executive leadership team for SIOR’s NJ Chapter for the past three years. This year, I was named the incom- ing President when the new term begins in January 2016. What was your most notable project, deal or transaction in 2015? I have completed two of the largest office sales transactions in the southern New Jersey market so far this year. Both were in Cherry Hill, which is experi- encing a resurgence in the office sector after losing some ground to Burlington County in recent years. Both properties were Class ‘A’ office buildings on Route 70 – 102,590 s/f and 85,945 s/f respectively – and both were distressed assets that were sold above market value given their high vacancies. What qualities and/or personality traits do you feel make you most successful? I look for challenges. Commercial real estate is a field that rewards those who aren’t afraid to take on diverse and complex deals, and then possess the com- mitment and creativity to deliver successful outcomes for their clients. Being flexible, accommodating, and trustworthy are traits that add to the success. For clients, knowing they can count on you to serve their best interests is key. What impact has social media/networking had on your business? A strong network is the lifeblood of a successful broker. Being active in local chambers, business organizations, and broker associations keeps you abreast of activity in the market and maintains your profile within the community. Social media is an extension of that, and like traditional networking, rewards those adept at engaging their audience. n
Global Strength. Built on Local Market Leadership.
Colliers International | Baltimore Colliers International is a leader in global real estate services, defined by our spirit of enterprise. Through a culture of service excellence and a shared sense of initiative, we integrate the resources of real estate specialists worldwide to accelerate the success of our partners—our clients, professionals and communities. We offer a complete range of services to owners, investors and occupiers on a local, regional, national and international basis. The foundation of our service is the strength and depth of our local specialists.
100 North Charles St. Suite 1710 Baltimore, MD 21201 8601 Robert Fulton Dr. Suite 220 Columbia, MD 21046 main +1 443 297 9000
www.colliers.com/greaterbaltimore
Mount Laurel | Philadelphia | Southampton | Wilkes-Barre
+856 234 9600
naimertz.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker